Game device

ABSTRACT

A youth game of the type where participants attempt to dispense the playing pieces out of a container by shaking the container so that the playing pieces will fall out of selected apertures in the container; characterized by the provision of a timer used in association therewith, the timer constituting a dish-like member having a central recess and marble used in association therewith, further characterized by the provision of playing pieces of different physical characteristics which are to be dispensed out of the container and some of which determine further conduct of the game. The selected apertures are in the side walls of the container and are obstructed by inwardly projecting bosses.

United States Patent Breslow Aug. 29, 1972 GAME DEVICE [58] Field ofSearch...273/l R, 120 R, 144 R, 144 A, 273/145 R; 58/1 R, I'M

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,985,451 5/ 1961 Sims..273/ l R 2,417,641 3/1947 Fischer ..58/1 R 3,589,724 6/1971 Barlow..273/1 R 3,092,928 6/ 1963 Geiser ..273/12O R X 2/1971 Philpot..273/120 R X Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-PaulE. Shapiro Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & Mc- Cord ABSTRACTA youth game of the type where participants attempt to dispense theplaying pieces out of a container by shaking the container so that theplaying pieces will fall out of selected apertures in the container;characterized by the provision of a timer used in association therewith,the timer constituting a dish-like member having a central recess andmarble used in association therewith, further characterized by theprovision of playing pieces of different physical characteristics whichare to be dispensed out of the container and some of which determinefurther conduct of the game. The selected apertures are in the sidewalls of the container and are obstructed by inwardly projecting bosses.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures GAME DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I.Field of the Invention This invention relates to game devices.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Young children are typicallyfascinated by activities which involve shaking a container having loosearticles therein, both from the standpoint of the physical activityinvolved and, the noise resultant from such activity. Such children arefurther usually interested in activity which requires certain efforts tobe accomplished within a limited time period in order to successfullyplay the game. Shortcomings of heretofore known timer mechanisms havebeen that they are electrically or mechanically operated either throughthe provision of gears and springs or the like, or, an electroniccircuit having contacts and a buzzer. Such are vulnerable to extremelyvigorous activity such as is typical with young children. Shortcomingsof heretofore known games which involve the shaking of playing pieceswithin a container is that these games typically involve dice, the throwof which is used to determine the advancement of other playing pieces sothat the dice are merely used as a chance device in association with theprime purpose of the game.

The instant invention is directed toward meeting a need and desire inthe art to provide a young-age-group SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention is directed to an improved game of the type where playingpieces are to be dispensed outwardly from a container within a finitetime period.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the inventionincludes a provision of a container, preferably in the shape of asimulated shoe, having apertures therein with inwardly directed bosses.Playing pieces, preferably in the form of simulated stones, are alsoprovided with the playing pieces being of different colors. The objectof the game is to shake the container in an attempt to dispense playingpieces outwardly of the apertures in the container. Where playing piecesof certain colors are dispensed either a penalty or a bonus is imposedon the participant.

The timer mechanism utilized in association with the game constitutes adish-like member having a central recess and a launching chute on theperiphery thereof.

The marble is rolled down the chute and as the marble revolves aroundthe dish in a generally spiral path it will ultimately arrive at thecenter of the dish as the momentum diminishes. When the marble drops inthe central recess then the period of play is'terminated for aparticipant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thecomponents of the game of this invention;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The game 10 of thisinvention includes a timer means generally indicated 12, and a containermeans, generally indicated 14 and a plurality of playing pieces 16, 18,20 and 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the playing pieces are simulated stonesand the container is a simulated shoe 14. Preferably, the simulatedstones are of different color, such as the stone 16 being yellow incolor and preferably forty in number; the stones 18 being blue in colorand preferably three in number; the stones 20 being red in color andpreferably three in number and, the stones 22 being white in color andpreferably one or two in number. The purpose for the differentcoloration and the difference in numbers of the different coloredplaying pieces 16 through 22 will be explained later during theexplanation of the play of the game.

The timer means 12 includes a marble 24 or moving element and a member26 to be traversed by the moving element 24. The member 26 is generallytray-like in configuration and includes a concave dished upper surface28, having a generally circular outer periphery 28a and a center 28bwith a central recess or aperture 30 at the center 28b. A chute likeramp 32 is connected at one portion of the outer periphery 28a of thedisc surface 28.

The container 14, is preferably in the form of a simulated shoe or bootand as such includes a simulated sole and heel portion 34 which providesa base therefore; a simulated shoe upper portion 36 which provides thesurrounding side walls defining, in combination with the base 34, ahollow interior 36a; and a simulated ankle opening 38 whichprovides areduced opening at the top of the container. Preferably, the container14 isforrned from two mating halves of plastic material joined togetherand the timer 12, is also made of a' seven in number, are deposited intothe-container 1,4 and the participants take turns shaking the container-14 within a finite time period in an attempt to dispense" the piecesoutwardly therefrom. Each participant covers the top opening 38 throughwhich the playing pieces may be initially inserted, and as soonas thetimer marble 24 is droppedonsthe chute. 32,,the partici pant begins tov'igorouslyshake the container 14,,in an attemptto dispense the playingpieces outwardly from the container within the time period allotted,until the marble 24 comes to test within the central recess or aperture30 of the tray 26.

The object of the game is for a participant to gain as many of theyellow playing pieces 16 as possible. For example, the first participantto gain 20 yellow playing pieces may be declared the winner, or, theparticipant who gains the most playing pieces a certain number ofshaking attempts may be a winner. The other playing pieces 18 through 22provide advantages or disadvantages to the participant. For example, ifa participant dispenses a blue playing piece, then he is entitled totake playing pieces from his opponents following the termination of histime period. If a participant dispenses a red playing piece he must stopshaking the container immediately, even though there is time remainingas dictated by timer 12. And, if a participant should dispense a whiteplaying piece, then this is considered a wipe-out and the participantmust return all of the yellow playing pieces he had gained up to thatpoint, back into the container.

Thus, it can be seen that the game of this invention provides a novelcompetitive amusement device that is of a type wherein the container isto be agitated, such as by shaking or the like, in an attempt todislodge playing pieces out of limited dispensing apertures therein. Theactivity of dispensation will be interferred with, by the inwardlyprojected bosses 42 so that some vigorous activity and experimentationwith the type of shaking movement will be necessary for successful playof the game. Howeventhe risk and bonus factors of the game such asprovided by the blue, red, and white marbles in conjunction with thenoise and physical activity factors of the game, make the game extremelyattractive to young age groups. In addition, the timer means providedwith the game is unique in that no electronic circuitry or gears orlevers are involved, thus, enhancing the reliability of the timer and,further, in that the participant can actually view the gradual cessationof movement of the marble 24 and watch itapproach the central recesswhich will be the termination of the time period. It is to be understoodthat the playing pieces may be in the form of marbles, different valuecoins which are possibly of difi'erent shapes, and the receptacle 14 maybe in a form other than that illustrated.

Thus, it is believed that this invention provides a novel game and anassociated timer mechanism which will be well received by children ofyoung age groups.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in theart.

I claim: a

1. A game device comprising: means defining a playing piece receptaclehaving an interior; said playing piece receptacle having dispensingopenings therein; obstruction means in the interior of the container ad-20 jacent the dispensing openings; a plurality of playing pieces ofdifferent physical characteristics and being of a size and shape to passthrough said dispensing openings and a timer means for use inassociation with the container for limiting the time period of attempteddis ensation for each partici ant,

. The game apertures 0 claim 1 wherein the obstruction means includesinwardly projecting bosses about the playing piece dispensing apertures.

3. The game device of claim 1 including a playing piece insertionopening at the upper end of the receptacle.

4. The game device of claim 1 wherein the receptacle is in theconfiguration of a simulated shoe with the dispensing openings being inside wall portions thereof.

5. The game device of claim 4 wherein the timer means comprises adish-like member having a generally central recess and a peripherallyoriented chute with a rollable element for use in association therewith.

1. A game device comprising: means defining a playing piece receptaclehaving an interior; said playing piece receptacle having dispensingopenings therein; obstruction means in the interior of the containeradjacent the dispensing openings; a plurality of playing pieces ofdifferent physical characteristics and being of a size and shape to passthrough said dispensing openings and a timer means for use inassociation with the container for limiting the time period of attempteddispensation for each participant.
 2. The game apertures of claim 1wherein the obstruction means includes inwardly projecting bosses aboutthe playing piece dispensing apertures.
 3. The game device of claim 1including a playing piece insertion opening at the upper end of thereceptacle.
 4. The game device of claim 1 wherein the receptacle is inthe configuration of a simulated shoe with the dispensing openings beingin side wall portions thereof.
 5. The game device of claim 4 wherein thetimer means comprises a dish-like member having a generally centralrecess and a peripherally oriented chute with a rollable element for usein association therewith.